Death By Audio's Space Bender is a Cool Sci-Fi Modulator which covers Chorus, Flanger, Vibrato, and Delay Flavours in various intriguing combinations

Death by Audio call their new Space Bender pedal a ’Chorus Modulator’ - while it’s probably more correctly labelled a variable delay-line multi-modulator - which delivers Chorusing, Flanging, Vibrato and Delay in combination.

Controls - Speed, Depth, Delay Time : x1 / x10, Modulator : LFO / ENV, Intensity Lo / Hi, Internal Gain Trimmer.

You have 2 key knobs - Speed and Depth which apply slightly differently across LFO and ENV modes (see below) - and then 3 x 2-way rocker-switches which impact Delay Time, Modulation Type and Intensity.

Essentially with Delay Time at x1 you get the more linear modulations - chorus / flanger / vibrato - while for x10 the Delay element is more dominant and the modulation impacts somewhat variably across those 3 x 2 rocker switch options.

The Space Bender is pretty aptly named as it’s sort of a combination modulation / delay - which ’bends’ the delay line to achieve those various different textures and effects. What’s not clear is what sort of circuit we have here at its core (analog / digital) - and what the key internal componentry is - BBD, PT2399 or FV-1 for instance. While demos sound pretty cool!

As a streamlined multi-modulator the Space Bender delivers some really cool sounds - while I’m still processing where this lies on my wish-list / priority spectrum!

Here are the further details on the controls :

• Speed : Controls the speed of the LFO, sensitivity of the ENVelope, and time of the delay(s). At shorter times, expect flange and chorus sounds with slower modulation, while long times will stretch into wiggling, modulated delay
• Depth : Controls the depth of the Envelope or the LFO, as well as the feedback of the delay(s). This allows for a range of short and subtle effects to longer, stretching waves of sound
• Delay Time : Sets the overall delay time range, from very short (x1) to medium-long (x10). Also inverts the polarity of the ENVelope
• Modulator : Sets the main source of modulation for the delay line - either a sine wave oscillator in LFO mode or an envelope in ENV mode. The SPEED and DEPTH knobs control the settings of the LFO and ENVelope
• Intensity : Sets the overall intensity of the effects. High-intensity settings can create oscillations, feedback, and crazy noises. DEATH BY AUDIO is not responsible for what your audience will think of you, unless they love it, in which case we are
• Gain (internal) : Controls the output level of the pedal, ranging from unity to way too loud. Unscrew the backplate to access this control

The Space Bender is available for order on the Death by Audio Webstore for $270 and soon at leading dealers.

Who here is considering hitting the trigger on this one? Note that there is a limited white Reverb.com colourway also available - while I probably prefer the standard black anyway!

Specifications

• Dimensions : 5" x 2.63” x 2.45" / 12.7cm x 6.7cm x 6.2cm (including hardware)
• Weight : 9.3 oz / 266g
• Power : 9V DC (runs on standard 2.1mm negative center 9V DC adapter)
• Current Draw : 65 mA
• MAPP / RRP : $270